WHY ARE YOU RUNNING? I am running in honor of my 2008 patient partner who was treated at Dana Farber in the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

I am also running in honor of my grandmother, Nona Picillo.

Both of these extraordinary women were able to fight their respective cancers and are both survivors today. They inspire me to push myself while running and also to keep every success and struggle in perspective.

I know that my 'battle' on race day pales in comparison to battles faced by all those fighting cancer every single day. The ultimate finish line cannot be found at the end of the marathon. The ultimate finish is a world without cancer, and I know my teammates and I will have that in mind throughout our training months and of course on race day.

WHAT IS IT LIKE RUNNING FOR DANA FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE? It is an absolute honor running for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I am so inspired by my teammates, the staff, all of the beautiful patients in DF's clinics and of course by the many healthcare professionals and researchers committed to finding a cure. It's a special place and I am thrilled to be a part of this community.

HOW DO YOU TRAIN? To prevent injuries and running burnout, I typically do one long run per week and two to three days of shorter/medium length runs. I supplement my training with yoga and strength training at the gym and try to swim when I can find a pool! The trick is to keep running fun. When it becomes a chore I find myself sidelined more with injuries and less likely to complete the longer miles.